Present: Adelson, Baker, Berman, Childs, Harder, Harvey, Hobgood, Krissek, Lemberger, Oltmann, Shanda, Trudeau, Vasey, Yerkes, Andereck, Breitenberger, Collier, Corl, Dutta, Eyerly, Francis, Mercerhill, Mockabee, Morgan, Mumy, Royster, Schoen, Wanzer
- Updates from the Chair:
- Thank you to the Bachelor of Science Task Force
- CAA approved Cluster proposal – the budget meeting is next week and RFPs will go out as soon as the budget is received
- Senate will discuss B.S. GEC template proposal and Presidential search , if there is no CCI vote on the GEC, Senate will be cancelled
- January 12 meeting minutes approved
- Health and Wellness Minor – guests Maryanna Klatt and Deborah Larson
- Minor for students across campus
- ASC had input into minor
- Core course is a GEC
- Minor will be adjusted to meet ASC requirement that 100 level courses not be counted toward the minimum
- Student selected areas must include 3 credits
- Vote: 12 yes, 0 no, 0 abstention
- Freshman Book – guest Michelle Herman
- What Is the What, by Dave Eggers (see appendix for book information)
- Vote: 12 yes, 0 no, 0 abstention
- Discussion of Bachelor of Science GEC template – Dave Andereck
- Began with:
i. Fall 2006 surveys of OSU B.S. programs and CIC institutions
ii. Existing definitions of B.S. & B.A. degrees
- Surveyed OSU B.S. programs for reaction to template created in Fall
- Met with Burchbickler regarding foreign language requirement
- Recommendations sent to CCI
- B.S. degree typically more narrowly focused than B.A. with generally more rigorous quantitative skills and science; prep for specific disciplinary careers
- Task Force believes GEC should reflect the distinctions between BA & BS
- See template in appendix below
- Task Force believes there is potential for this model to be adopted campus-wide, but has not discussed it much with professional colleges other than their representatives on the task force
- Student selected area modified to include Math 152 and above- some programs require extensive math above 152, but no additional science pre-reqs
- Minimum for language requirement should be 103
i. Foreign language valued part of education, 103 remains a significant requirement and sufficient for these programs, however, few programs see foreign language as professionally critical
- change is consistent with the goals of BS degree, allows additional major related courses
- uniform requirements preferred, therefore recommended the “drop a GEC” be removed
- Variability in how template will work
i. Relieves pressure from drop a GEC programs
ii. Allows programs to be closer to 181 hours even with free electives
iii. All recommendations but 1 was unanimously approved by Task Force
1. 2 members did not agree with reducing language requirements
- Executive Dean Jackie Royster thanked Task Force for quality work
i. Struggled with template and reduction of foreign language requirement
ii. Recognition that B.A. & B.S. are different
iii. Came to notion that Bachelors degree is about balance between skills, breadth & depth – template preserves this balance
iv. Suggested that foreign language requirement read “at least through 103” with the hope that departments will encourage students to go beyond
v. Value in keeping templates as close as possible
- member suggested that 104 be added to student selected courses along with math
- noted that chart does not include the required 15 hours of free electives, therefore 162 hours for biology gives students 19 hours of electives
- Multiple voices of support for foreign language student-selected option
- Noted that language is important in global world
- Concern expressed:
i. most BS students arrive with one or more language courses credited and complete the 104 proficiency their first year
ii. with 104 included, all BS programs total in the neighborhood of 181 hrs or fewer, so where is the need for relief
iii. only about 50 students per year from the 5 BS programs currently with drop-a-gec drop 104; the proposal will undermine the idea of one university GEC
iv. it will open up other categories in the GEC to reductions.
- Suggested the requirement be minimum of 15 hours and through 104 for foreign language
- Amendment for student selected option of Foreign language 104, math 152 or above (see template)
- Motion to approve as amended to add 104 language as option for student-selected course
i. Vote: 12 yes, 0 no, 0 abstention